Afghanistan: Opium Crop

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have had with the allied forces in Afghanistan with a view to the destruction of opium poppy crops in Afghanistan with aerial crop spraying.

Lord Triesman: We have not had any discussions with the Allied Forces in Afghanistan on aerial eradication. In a press release issued on 18 November 2004, President Karzai stated his Government's opposition to the aerial spraying of poppy fields as an instrument of eradication. The Government of Afghanistan's National Drug Control Strategy, launched at the London conference on 31 January 2006, states,
	"where there are legal livelihoods, a credible threat of eradication is needed in order to incentivise the shift away from poppy cultivation. We will therefore carry out targeted ground-based eradication throughout Afghanistan in order to ensure we make maximum progress towards our long term elimination goal".
	The UK supports this policy.

Agriculture: Financial Viability

Lord Rotherwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What research they have commissioned into the financial viability of farming in the United Kingdom over the next five years.

Lord Bach: My department has not commissioned research specifically into the financial viability of farming in the United Kingdom over the next five years. However, it prepares projections of total income from farming in the United Kingdom and these look five years ahead. The latest projections, including forecasts of TIFF up to and including 2010, will be published in Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2005 at the end of March. The latest published set of projections appear in Chart 2.2 of Chapter 2 of Agriculture in the United Kingdom, 2004, with supporting text at paragraphs 2 and 3 of the same chapter. A link is inserted below.
	The Government commission annual surveys into farm incomes, through the Farm Business Surveys in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The data from these surveys can be used as a basis for projecting incomes into the future and work of this nature is sometimes undertaken, although this is usually done in-house rather than as commissioned research.
	www.statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/publications/auk/2004/chapter2.pdf.

Agriculture: Grain Storage

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the effects of combining an organophosphate, malathion, with a pyrethroid, bifenthrin, in Nickerson's Prostore under long-term grain storage conditions (a) when grain dressed with Prostore is mixed with grain dressed with other organophosphate or pyrethroid insecticides; (b) when the grain is ground into stock feed; and (c) when ground grain is heated and used as flour for human consumption.

Lord Bach: The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment's Working Group on Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Pesticides and Similar Substances examined the potential effects of combinations of pesticide active substances. The committee concluded that compounds such as organophosphates and pyrethroids, which have different modes of action, were likely to act independently, while those with the same modes of action were likely to act additively. It follows that, if grain containing an organophosphorus pesticide were mixed with grain containing another organophosphorus compound, they would be likely to act additively in proportion to their toxicities and their overall concentration in the grain. An equivalent effect would be expected if the grain were to contain different pyrethroid compounds.
	The committee also concluded that generally, when exposure levels of the compounds within a mixture are in the range of the "no observed adverse effect" levels and the components of the mixture have different modes of action, no additive or potentiating interactions are found. At the low exposure levels associated with grain consumption, it is therefore likely that there would be no such effects between the organophosphate and pyrethroid compounds.
	Similarly, no additive or potentiating interactions would be expected if treated grain were used for stock feed or for milling into flour for human consumption. Such processing is more likely to lead to some reduction in the levels of pesticide present, depending primarily on the extent to which it was refined before inclusion in the finished product. Monitoring carried out by the independent Pesticide Residues Committee has shown that pesticide residues are generally found less frequently and at lower levels in bread than in grain or flour.

Bail Terms: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 31 January concerning bail terms in Northern Ireland (WA 35), why it took eight weeks to indicate that they were not able to answer the Question.

Lord Rooker: The delay in providing an Answer to the Question was caused by an administrative error. I apologise to the noble Lord.

Bosnia: EU Membership

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What approximate timetable they envisage for the possible future membership of Bosnia in the European Union, following the opening of talks with the European Commission in November 2005.

Lord Triesman: The UK welcomed the opening of negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina on 21 November 2005. This represents an important first step toward EU integration—but it is just a first step. Bosnia is now firmly on the path to European integration, but much work remains to be done.
	The speed of Bosnia's progress toward the EU will depend on how quickly the necessary reforms can be agreed and implemented to meet European standards. The EU has made it clear that the pace and conclusion of the SAA negotiations will be dependent on progress in developing Bosnia's legislative and administrative capacity, implementation of police reforms and, in particular, full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

The Earl of Selborne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the research required to determine how the European Union water framework directive could most effectively be implemented would still be feasible if the Natural Environment Research Council's proposals to reduce staff members at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology are implemented.

Lord Bach: The Natural Environment Research Council is currently consulting widely with stakeholders on proposals on how best the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology can contribute on a sustainable basis to maintaining the quality of environmental science in the UK. I am sure that the NERC will consider all evidence and views on the potential impact of the proposals including any impact on the implementation of the water framework directive. CEH will continue to deliver its contractual agreements to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other government departments and agencies.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

The Earl of Selborne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	From what sources the £45 million costs of restructuring the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), as set out in the CEH Business Plan 2005–06 to 2009–10, will be met; and whether they will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) is wholly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC): NERC's science budget allocation has doubled since 1997 to £334 million for this year, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining the quality of environmental research in the UK. NERC is currently consulting widely with stakeholders on proposals on how best CEH can contribute on a sustainable basis to this.
	If, following consultation, NERC decides to proceed with the restructuring, the costs would be met from NERC's science budget allocation, and the department has indicated that it would be willing to increase NERC's allocation by up to £14.2 million over 2006–08 to support the delivery of its core programmes in these circumstances. I have asked the chief executive of NERC to write to the noble Earl regarding the breakdown.

Courts: East Berkshire and Oxford

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 25 January (WA 167), what action they are taking concerning the delay in listing cases for trial in East Berkshire and Oxford Magistrates' Courts and the slow throughput by the Crown Prosecution Service in Abingdon.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The workload in East Berkshire and Oxfordshire has seen a substantial increase in the past six months that has put considerable pressure on all agencies in the area. This has, in the main, been as a result of significant police activity and performance in bringing offenders to court.
	A number of solutions are being addressed to improve timeliness of trials and reduce the current backlog of work.
	Additional legal advisors have been recruited.
	DCWs (dedicated case workers) have been recruited by the CPS and will be able to make substantial improvements in case-throughput once their new delegated powers are able to be exercised after April 2006.
	Plans are being formulated to provide additional district judges to the magistrates' courts from outside the area who will be able to increase the volume of cases being dealt with in the court.
	In order to deal with a general shortage of courtroom capacity in the area, alternative suitable venues are being sourced to enable work to be transferred to other courthouses or utilising other buildings.
	A full review of listing processes and procedures is being undertaken to ensure that priority cases are dealt with more speedily.
	The courts are working with the police and CPS to identify the potential of alternative disposals where appropriate, thereby enabling the work in the courts to be prioritised.
	CPS Abingdon serves all the Oxfordshire magistrates' courts. There are no figures to indicate a slow throughput in Abingdon. In fact, the average processing period in Oxfordshire is 2.09 (the average time in months to process a case), which is lower than the rest of Thames Valley (which is 2.86). This figure indicates that cases are dealt with more speedily in Oxfordshire. In relation to ineffective trials, the local performance has been better than the area and national target for four of the past six months. In relation to case-throughput, the CPS in Abingdon has seen no significant increase in respect of its workload over the past year.
	Listing negotiations in Thames Valley are being dealt with as a priority by the Thames Valley Local Criminal Justice Board Sub-group. The local criminal justice board has set the strategic direction for listing. Local negotiations in a number of courts are taking place between the unit heads and court officials.

Endangered Species: Great Apes

Lord Eden of Winton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the Kinshasa agreement of September 2005, what assistance they are giving to the United Nations Great Ape Survival Project.

Lord Bach: The Government fully support the Great Ape Survival Project Partnership (GRASP); we have done since it was first established in 2002. Nearly £600,000 has been contributed over this period, and we remain the project's single largest government donor. This funding includes the £50,000 that we made available to support the intergovernmental meeting in Kinshasa that concluded the Kinshasa declaration.
	At the Kinshasa meeting, the UK was elected to represent donor states on GRASP's executive committee, which shapes the project's direction and helps to determine its priorities. We have also promoted the project with other potential donor countries.
	To support GRASP's activities, the Government have helped to promote good practice in ape sanctuaries across Africa, including funding a workshop of the Pan-African Sanctuaries Alliance. We have provided more direct support for great ape conservation efforts through our Flagship Species Fund and Darwin Initiative programmes, and we have supported the Great Ape Film Initiative, which aims to spread constructive conservation messages across the great apes' range in Africa and south-east Asia on television and on video/DVD.

EU: Budget

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 25 January (WA 169), why they declined to provide information regarding the financial contributions of European Union member states over the 2007–13 European Union budget when the statement by the Lord President (Baroness Amos) on 19 December (HL Deb, cols. 1569–70) provided information in respect of the contributions of France, Italy, Spain, Romania and Bulgaria.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to his Question HL3854 on 8 February, Official Report, col. WA 99.

EU: Budget

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 8 February (WA 99) and in view of the publication of contributions and receipts for Poland, France, Romania and other countries, whether they will now publish qualitative indications of each of the member states' contributions to, and receipts from, the European Union for 2007–13.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: As around 75 per cent of the Own Resources System that finances the EC budget is funded by member states' GNI contributions, most member states make roughly the same contribution to the budget of around 1 per cent of GNI. The exceptions to this are: Belgium, which pays a disproportionate share of Traditional Own Resources (customs duties, agricultural duties and sugar levies which account for around 10 per cent of the Own Resources System) because of the port of Antwerp; and Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and the UK which benefit from corrections that lower their contributions to the EC budget.
	A member state's total receipts largely depend on its receipts from the structural and cohesion funds and the common agricultural policy, which together account for around 75 per cent of the EC budget. Based on the European Commission's forecasts and assumptions, and using the financial perspective table agreed on 17 December 2005, the Treasury estimates that the largest recipients (those that receive significantly more than they contribute) are: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Those that receive more than they contribute are: Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia. Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK all receive less than they contribute.

Families: Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many marriages ended in divorce in Northern Ireland during the years 2000 to 2005; and what estimate they have of the number of children who will have been affected by parental divorce in this period.

Lord Rooker: Divorce statistics for 2005 have not yet been finalised. The table below gives the number of divorces in Northern Ireland in each year between 1999 and 2004 and the total number of children aged under 16 affected by divorce.
	
		
			 Year Number of Divorces Number of Children Aged Under 16 Affected 
			 1999 2,326 2,410 
			 2000 2,350 2,298 
			 2001 2,365 2,392 
			 2002 2,165 2,034 
			 2003 2,319 2,205 
			 2004 2,512 2,228

Gaelic Athletic Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 11 January (WA 59) concerning the funding of Gaelic athletic activities, how much small projects funding has been made available in each of the past five years; to whom; for what purpose; and when.

Lord Rooker: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland, including the distribution of funding. Under its exchequer and lottery programmes, SCNI has provided investment in small Gaelic Athletic Association projects. In addition, various government departments have provided small project funding. A list of projects funded over the past five years has been placed in the Library.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Israeli Government following the killing of two Palestinian children by Israeli soldiers in the week beginning 22 January.

Lord Triesman: We deplore all civilian casualties, particularly children, which have resulted from this conflict. We recognise Israel's right to defend itself from acts of violence, but call on the Israeli Government to act with restraint and in accordance with international law including taking every effort to avoid civilian casualties. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv raised this incident with the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on 30 January.

Israel and Palestine: Gaza

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Israeli Government concerning the closure of the Karni checkpoint from Gaza.

Lord Triesman: The Government made no representations to the Israeli Government following the closure of the Karni checkpoint on 15 January. However, we welcome the recent reopening of the Karni crossing point between Gaza and Israel on 5 February. We fully support the work of Quartet Special Envoy James Wolfensohn in helping to implement the movement and access agreement, and urge both sides to fulfil their obligations in relation to this.

Israel and Palestine: Tax

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they will make to the Israeli Government concerning the handing over of Palestinian taxes.

Lord Triesman: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials raised the issue of tax revenues with the Israeli Foreign Minister's Office in the week of 30 January.
	We welcome the Israeli Government's subsequent decision to transfer indirect taxes collected on the Palestinians' behalf to the Palestinian Authority.

National Insurance: Earnings Threshold

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the number of people who during the relevant tax year for the purpose of determining their national insurance contributions have different employments which fall below the earnings threshold.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Estimates for the numbers of people with income below the primary threshold for spring (March-May) 2005 are provided in the table.
	
		
			 Employees (thousands) All 
			 Total employees in main job 24,380 
			 Total employees in main job and earning below theprimary threshold 2,430 
			 Total employees with at least two jobs 560 
			 Total employees with at least two jobs and earningbelow the primary threshold in each job 410 
		
	
	The estimates have been provided by the Office for National Statistics, and are based on the quarterly Labour Force Survey.
	Estimates on employees earning below the primary threshold are based on gross weekly earnings as reported in the survey. These figures represent a snapshot and are not seasonally adjusted.
	Because of the higher weekly earnings variability for employees with low wages, caution should be exercised when interpreting earnings information for employees at the lower end of the distribution.

Nepal

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What research they have undertaken to obtain estimates of the number of fatalities during the civil war in Nepal resulting from the action of Maoist terrorists and the Royal Nepalese Army.

Lord Triesman: It is very difficult to get a definitive figure of casualties or fatalities caused during the conflict between the Maoists and the Government of Nepal. A variety of different sources that provide estimates indicate over 12,000 people have been killed since the start of the conflict in 1996. These include the UN Office of the High Commission of Human Rights, local media sources, and a local non-governmental organisation called Informal Sector Service Centre, which maintains statistics and has running records and comparisons with past years. In addition, the British Embassy in Kathmandu keeps in regular contact with the Royal Nepalese Army and Police for clarification of incidents and statistics.

NHS: Antrim and Whiteabbey

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many full-time medical practitioners are employed by United Hospitals Group in (a) Antrim Area Hospital; and (b) Whiteabbey Hospital.

Lord Rooker: The information requested is provided in the tables below.
	Number of medical practitioners employed by United Hospitals Group HSS Trust in Antrim Area Hospital as at February 2006
	
		Antrim Area Hospital
		
			 Grade Head count FTE1 
			 Consultant 55 54.20 
			 Associate specialist 3 3.00 
			 Staff grade 8 8.00 
			 Doctor in training 106 106 
			 Other doctors 13 9.42 
			 Total 185 180.62 
		
	
	1 Full-time equivalent
	Source: United Hospitals Group HSS Trust
	Number of medical practitioners employed by United Hospitals Group HSS Trust in Whiteabbey Hospital as at February 2006
	
		Whiteabbey Hospital
		
			 Grade Head count FTE1 
			 Consultant 13 12.73 
			 Associate specialist 2 2.00 
			 Staff grade 4 3.90 
			 Doctor in training 19 19.00 
			 Other doctors 6 3.22 
			 Total 44 40.85 
		
	
	1 Full-time equivalent
	Source: United Hospitals Group HSS Trust

NHS: Waiting Times

Baroness Cumberlege: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of patients not requiring immediate treatment wait for over six months for hospital treatment and surgery.

Lord Warner: At the end of December 2005, less than 0.01 per cent of patients were waiting over six months.

Northern Ireland National Stadium

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 25 January (HL 3264) concerning the business case for the national stadium for Northern Ireland, whether they are in a position to support a case which is still under discussion; and when they will be able to place a copy in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: The business case for the location of the proposed multi-sports stadium for Northern Ireland at the site of the former prison at the Maze will be placed in the Library when agreement has been reached with the three sports and the business case has been finally approved.

Northern Ireland National Stadium

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 25 January (HL 3264) concerning the business case for the national stadium for Northern Ireland, whether the case contains an agreement with Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Army; and, if so, what is that agreement.

Lord Rooker: There is no such agreement.

Northern Ireland National Stadium

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library copies of the illustrative business plans for the proposed Maze Stadium referred to by a Northern Ireland Office Minister in the Belfast Telegraph on 31 January.

Lord Rooker: The illustrative business plans for the proposed multi-sports stadium at the Maze/Long Kesh derive from the business case for the stadium. A copy of the business case will be placed in the Library when final agreement has been reached with the three sports and the case has been finally approved.

Northern Ireland National Stadium

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library the documents which led to the selection of the Maze as a proposed site for the national stadium in Northern Ireland as referred to by a Northern Ireland Office Minister in the Belfast Telegraph on 31 January.

Lord Rooker: The documents which led to the selection of the Maze/Long Kesh as the proposed site for a multi-sports stadium will be placed in the Library when final agreement has been reached with the three sports and the business case for the stadium has been finally approved.

Northern Ireland Office: William Mackessy

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How William Mackessy was appointed to a post in the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast; what that post was; when he was appointed; and whether any attempts, including positive or negative vetting, were made to ascertain his security status; and
	How and when they learned that William Mackessy was performing duties in the Northern Ireland Office over and above those he was required to perform by his employers; and
	Whether William Mackessy was disciplined by the Northern Ireland Office; if so, which officials or Ministers were involved in that process; what the alleged offences were; and what was the outcome of the disciplinary process; and
	Which officials decided to transfer William Mackessy to the Government of Northern Ireland; when this happened; to which department in the devolved administration he was transferred; and why; and
	Whether officials or Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office reported William Mackessy to the police or any other agency.

Lord Rooker: I can confirm that William Mackessy was appointed to the Northern Ireland Civil Service following an open competition. I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 21 October 2002 (cols. WA 82–84) in respect of the other matters he has raised.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has required changes to the business cases for— (a) the West Belfast Festival; (b) the Ardoyne Festival; (c) the New Lodge Festival; and (d) the Ulster Scots Agency, in each of the last three years; if so, how many changes were requested in each case per year; and, in each case, what percentage of the amount first requested was funded.

Lord Rooker: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure did not provide transitional funding to the three festivals in question in 2003.
	In 2004 the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's element of transitional funding for festivals was administered by the Northern Ireland Events Company.
	In 2005 the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure administered the transitional funding. The department did not request changes to the business information received from festivals applying for transitional funding. Rather, additional information was sought where there were gaps or for clarity.
	The business plans for the Ulster Scots Agency, which are public documents, required various changes, alterations and typographical corrections before approval. Information on the detail and number of changes made is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Details of amounts requested and amounts provided are given in the tables below
	
		2003–04 Transitional Funding
		
			 Group Amount of government funding requested* Amount of DCAL funding received Amount of DSD funding received Percentage received 
			 Féile an Phobail £148,000 NIL £105,160.15 71.05 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh £59,080 NIL £57,394.65 97.15 
			 Gtr New Lodge £29,160 NIL £29,160.00 100 
		
	
	
		2003–04
		
			 Group Amount Requested Amount Allocated Percentage Received 
			 Ulster Scots Agency Budget £1.57 million £1.54 million 98 
		
	
	
		2004–05 Transitional Funding
		
			 Group Amount of Government funding Requested* Amount of DCAL funding Received Amount of DSD funding received Percentage Received 
			 Féile an Phobai1 £135,000 £20,000 £102,720.95 90.9 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh £66,980 £10,000 £60,080.00 104.62 ** 
			 Greater New Lodge £59,100 £10,000 £29,160.00 66.26 
		
	
	* This amount is the total amount of government funding requested and relates to both the Department for Social Development and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
	** The departments are pursuing clawback of this over-provision.
	
		2004–05
		
			 Group Amount Requested Amount Allocated Percentage Received 
			 Ulster Scots Agency Budget £2.98 million £1.784 million* 60 
		
	
	* Includes in-year bid for £80,000 in 2004.
	
		2005–06 Transitional Funding
		
			 Group Amount of Government funding Requested* Amount of DCAL funding received Amount of DSD funding received Percentage Received to date 
			 Féile an Phobail £180,000 Nil £106,232.48 59.02 
			 Ardoyne Fleadh £72,500 £7,500 £58,905.00 91.59 
			(to date) 
			 Greater New Lodge £39,160 £7,500 £29,160.00 93.61 
		
	
	* This amount is the total amount of government funding requested and relates to both the Department for Social Development and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
	
		2005–06
		
			 Group Amount Requested Amount Allocated Percentage Received 
			 Ulster Scots Agency Budget £2.03 million £1.809 million** 89 
		
	
	** Includes in-year bid for £40,000 in 2005.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 25 January (WA 182) concerning festivals in Northern Ireland, whether the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure noted that the business case for the 2005 Ardoyne Nationalist Festival event was the same as the business case for 2004's Ardoyne Nationalist Festival.

Lord Rooker: On receipt of the Ardoyne Fleadh 2005 business case, the department noted that there were deficiencies and requested additional business information. This information was provided to the department's satisfaction.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 31 January concerning festivals in Northern Ireland (WA 36), what are the transitional arrangements for 2005 festivals referred to in the Answer; and whether they will place a copy of the arrangements in the Library of the House.

Lord Rooker: Details of the transitional arrangements for 2005 will be placed in the Library.

Palestine: Elections

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to hold discussions with Hamas following the Palestinian elections.

Lord Triesman: We have a policy of no dialogue with Hamas while it continues to advocate the use of violence to achieve its goals and to call for the destruction of Israel.
	On 30 January the quartet (UN, US, EU and Russia) and EU Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council reiterated their view that there is a fundamental contradiction between armed group and militia activities and the building of a democratic state. A two-state solution to the conflict requires all participants in the democratic process to renounce violence and terror, to disarm, and to accept Israel's right to exist as outlined in the road map. We support this approach.
	Hamas now has a choice to make between the path of democracy and the path of violence. The onus is on Hamas to change, and fundamentally it has to change its approach to Israel. President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Government have made it clear that they remain committed to the road map. We will continue to work with them and other partners to make progress on the road map to peace. We are watching developments closely and taking stock of the situation.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What training in cultural and ethnic groupings is given to new recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: This inquiry refers to operational decisions, which are the responsibility of the Chief Constable. The noble Lord should pursue this matter directly with the Chief Constable.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 31 January (WA 40) concerning police recruits in Northern Ireland, how the levels of fitness required for recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland have changed since 1 January 2000; and for what reason.

Lord Rooker: I am advised that the role of a sector and response officer was independently reviewed on behalf of PSNI by Sheffield Hallam University in 2003. The review confirmed the validity of the assessment and increased the standard marginally.
	In 2004 the test was removed from the applicant process and is now applied as a mandatory requirement at the of the student officer course and at the end of the probation period.

Roads: Improvement Schemes

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the cost of all current government-funded local authority and Highway Agency road schemes when first submitted for Targeted Programme Improvement approval; what are the latest cost estimates; and what are the percentage changes.

Lord Davies of Oldham: I have placed three tables setting out the information requested for the targeted programme of improvements (TPI) and local transport major road schemes in the Library.
	Table 1 provides a list of TPI schemes that entered the programme before April 2003. This shows the latest agreed scheme budget against the scheme cost submitted for TPI entry approval. The scheme costs at programme entry were based on net scheme costs only and excluded VAT, projected inflation and optimism bias. The latest agreed budget scheme costs include allowance for identified risks, inflation up to scheme completion, non-recoverable VAT and optimism bias, in line with revised Treasury guidance issued in April 2003. This means that scheme costs pre-April 2003 cannot be directly compared with the latest agreed budget costs post-April 2003, as they are calculated on a different basis.
	For the schemes in table 1, about £0.6 billion (39 per cent) of the £1.54 billion variance against the cost reported at TPI entry is attributable to the addition of VAT, projected inflation at 2.5 per cent and optimism bias. The remainder can be attributed to underestimates in the scope of schemes and the impact of inflation. Scheme budgets have assumed that construction inflation would run at 2.5 per cent per annum. The latest indications suggest that a higher allowance may be more appropriate.
	Table 2 provides a list of TPI schemes that entered the programme since April 2003. Both the costs of the schemes at TPI entry and the latest agreed budget costs are now reported on the basis of projected outturn scheme and include an allowance for risk, inflation, non-recoverable VAT and optimism bias. The two sets of figures are therefore directly comparable.
	Table 3 provides a list of local authority schemes where cost estimation is the responsibility of the promoting authority. The department requires scheme costings to be based on the authority's best estimate of outturn scheme cost including allowance for cost inflation up to scheme completion and provision for risk. Cost increases are subject to close scrutiny.
	Both Highways Agency and local authority schemes with cost increases are subject to reappraisal and value for money assessment in line with Department for Transport guidance.
	
		Table 1—Highways Agency Targeted Programme of Improvement schemes—Prior to April 2003
		
			 Scheme TPI Entry cost(£ million) Latest agreed budget cost(£ million) Percentage Increase (see footnote) 
			 A1(M) Ferrybridge - Hook Moor (DBFO) 160 160 0 
			 A2 Bean -Cobham Phase 2 35 101 189 
			 A2/A282 Dartford Improvement 38 72 89 
			 A14 Rookery Crossroads GSJ 5 10 100 
			 A249 Iwade-Queenborough Improvement (DBFO) 79 81 3 
			 A303 Stonehenge 125 Under review. Latest estimate is 470 276 
			 A421 Great Barford Bypass 25 58 132 
			 A500 City Road & Stoke 24 55 129 
			 M25 J12-15 Widening 94 120 28 
			 M60 J5-8 Widening 82 116 41 
			 A11 Attleborough Bypass 14 29 107 
			 A11 Fiveways - Thetford Improvement 30 60 100 
			 A47 Thorney Bypass 9 27 200 
			 M6 Carlisle to Guardsmill Extension 46 175 280 
			 A63 Melton Grade Separated Junction 11 22 100 
			 A14 Haughley New St – Stowmarket Improvement 10 32 220 
			 A3 Hindhead Improvement 107 239 123 
			 A38 Dobwalls Bypass 17 36 112 
			 A595 Parton - Lillyhall Improvement 18 30 66 
			 A1 Peterborough - Blyth Grade Separated Junctions 31 83 168 
			 M62 Junction 6 Improvement 24 38 58 
			 A46 Newark - Widmerpool Improvement 82 220 168 
			 A30 Bodmin Indian Queens 49 93 90 
			 A483 Pant- Llanymynech Bypass 17 40 135 
			 A5117/A550 Deeside Park Junctions Improvement 22 43 95 
			 A419 Blunsdon Bypass 29 65 124 
			 A66 Temple Sowerby & Improvement at Winderwath 19 39 105 
			 A1 Dishforth to Barton 225 325 44 
			 Al Bramham - Wetherby (Including Wetherby Bypass) 38 51 34 
			 A64 Rillington Bypass 8 12 50 
			 M40/A404 Handy Cross Junction Improvement 10 14 40 
			 A47 Blofield to North Burlingham Dualling 10 15 50 
			 A66 Greta Bridge to Stephen Bank Improvement 6 9 50 
			 A66 Carkin Moor to Scotch Corner Improvement 7 11 57 
			 A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement 22 55 150 
			 A30/A382 Merrymeet Junction 7 12 71 
			 A66 Long Newton Junction 6 8 33 
			 A69 Haydon Bridge Bypass 14 24 71 
			 A419 Commonhead Junction 12 16 33 
			 M5 Junctions 19 - 20 Southbound Climbing Lane 9 12 33 
			 M5 Junctions 19 - 20 Northbound Climbing Lane 6 16 167 
		
	
	
		Table 2—Highways Agency Targeted Programme of Improvement schemes—Prior to April 2003
		
			 Scheme TPI Entry cost(£ million) Latest agreed budget cost(£ million) Percentage Increase (see footnote) 
			 M1 J19 Improvement 100 123 23 
			 A14 Ellington - Fen Ditton Improvement 490 490 0 
			 A57/A628 Mottram - Tintwistle Bypass 90 103 14 
			 A45/A46 Tollbar End Improvement 57 57 0 
			 M1 Junction 6a to 10 Widening 241 289 20 
			 M1 Junction 10 to 13 Widening 382 382 0 
			 A1 Morpeth to Felton Dualling 84 84 0 
			 A1 Adderstone to Belford Dualling 14 14 0 
			 A1/A19/A1068 Seaton Burn Junction 30 29 -3 
			 A19/A184 Testos Junction Improvement 21 21 0 
			 A505 Dunstable Northern Bypass 48 48 0 
			 A421 Bedford to M1 Junction 13 171 171 0 
			 A21 Tonbridge to Pembury 65 65 0 
			 M40 Junction 15 (Longbridge) 57 57 0 
			 A590 High & Low Newton Bypass 22 22 0 
			 M20 Junction 10A 46 46 0 
			 A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross 125 125 0 
			 A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement 41 41 0 
			 A27 Southerham to Beddingham Improvement 19 19 0 
			 M1 J21-30 1,915 1,915 0 
			 M25 J1b-3 Widening 66 66 0 
			 M25 J5-7 Widening 214 214 0 
			 M25 J16-23 496 496 0 
			 M25 J23-27 Widening 419 419 0 
			 M25 J27-30 Widening 402 402 0 
			 A21 Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst Bypass 68 68 0 
			 A23 Handcross to Warninglid Widening 41 41 0 
			 A453 Widening (Ml J24 to A52 Nottingham) 90 90 0 
			 M25 Junction 28/A12 Brook Street Interchange 8 8 0 
			 M27 J11 to J12 Climbing Lanes 27 27 0 
			 M27 J3 to J4 Widening 52 52 0 
			 M1 J30 to J31 Widening 135 135 0 
			 M1 J31 to J32 Widening 20 20 0 
			 M1 J32 to J34S Widening 139 139 0 
			 M1 J34N to J37 Widening 246 246 0 
			 M1 J37 to J39 Widening 224 224 0 
			 M1 J39 to J42 Widening 202 202 0 
			 M1 J31 to J32 Northbound Collector/Distributor 29 29 0 
			 M62 J25 to J27 Widening 215 215 0 
			 M62 J27 to J28 Widening 83 83 0 
		
	
	Note: The latest cost estimates represent the approved full outturn costs to deliver the schemes and have been built up as follows:
	base estimate of scheme cost, at 2001 prices time, including non-recoverable VAT and an allowance for risk assessment;
	plus allowance for optimism bias which was introduced in April 2003 following the new Treasury Green Book on investment appraisal and is between 5 per cent and 45 per cent depending on the quality of the risk assessment;
	plus inflation at 2.5 per cent per annum to the projected start date. The projected start date, and by implication these costs, are dependent upon completion of statutory procedures and availability of funds.
	
		Table 3—Local Transport Plan Major Road Schemes (over £5 million)
		
			 Scheme (i) gross cost of scheme when first submitted for approval (ii) most recent estimateor final gross cost of the scheme Percentage Increase 
			 A228 Ropers Lane Phase 1 £15.20 million £18.956 million 25 
			 East Kent Access Phase 1 £12.954 million £23.248 million 79 
			 A228 Leybourne & West Mailing Corridor Improvement £27.94 million £28.47 million 1.5 
			 Kiln Lane Link, Epsom £10.60 million £18.684 million 76 
			 A24 Ashington to Southwater £18.95 million £26.220 million 38 
			 A24 Horsham to Capel Improvement £38.56 million £56.720 million 47 
			 A4146 Stoke Hammond/Linslade Western Bypass £44.66 million £52.842 million 18 
			 M4 J11 (Green Park Improvements) and MereoakRoundabout £43.67 million Option 1 £64.64 million orOption 2 £ 69.61 million 48 or 59 
			 Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road £43.5 million £43.5 million 0 
			 Bexhill Hastings Link Road £47.12 million £48.51 million 3 
			 Cradley Heath Bypass £6.335 million £10.761 million 70 
			 Brierley Hill Access Network £24.310 million £35.000 million 46 
			 A38 Northfield Regeneration Bypass £12.000 million £19.380 million 61 
			 Owen Street Relief Road £8.810 million £17.150 million 95 
			 Selly Oak Relief Road £42.500 million £52.250 million 23 
			 Barford Bypass £6.910 million £10.380 million 50 
			 Rugby Western Bypass £20.280 million £26.818 million 32 
			 Hodnet Bypass £12.515 million £14.902 million 19 
			 Hanley Bentilee Link £15.415 million £21.562 million 40 
			 Tunstall Northern Bypass £6.730 million £7.004 million 4 
			 Leeds Inner Ring Road Stage 7 £35.576 million £50.538 million 42 
			 Rugeley Eastern Bypass £17.454 million £22.844 million 31 
			 East Leeds Link Road £19.380 million £31.881 million 65 
			 Sheffield Inner Relief Road Stages II & III £30.000 million £62.571 million 108 
			 Glasshoughton Coalfields Link Road £6.815 million £11.695 million 72 
			 A63 West Bawtry Road Improvements £5.028 million £5.028 million  
			 Hemsworth to A1 Link Road £11.261 million £22.776 million 102 
			 A628 Cudworth & West Green Bypass £17.198 million £17.198 million 0 
			 A57(T) M1 Junction 31 to Todwick Crossroads £6.264 million £11.900 million 90 
			 A165 Reighton Bypass £6.550 million £6.564 million 0.2 
			 A39 Camelford Bypass £6.8 million £14.4 million ill 
			 A391 St Austell to Bodmin £30.35 million £57 million 88 
			 Barnstaple Western Bypass £32.5 million £43.078 million 33 
			 A354 Weymouth Relief Road £54.567 million £54.567 million  
			 Poole Bridge Regeneration Initiative £14:414 million £46.880 million 225 
			 Brunel Link and Harnham Relief Road £13.0 million £21.803 million 68 
			 A57 Cadishead Way (Brinell Drive – City Boundary) £19.905 million £19.405 million -0.2 
			 The Glossup Spur, Tameside £7.18 million £8.081 million 13 
			 Ashton Northern Bypass Stage 2, Tameside £7.74 million £8.29 million 0.7 
			 Wigan Inner Relief Route £19.5 million £19.5 million 0 
			 A34 Alderley Edge Bypass, Cheshire £37.9 million £40 million 0.5 
			 Carlisle Northern Development Route £24.31 million(traditional funding) £78.812 million(PFI Credits) N/A – Differentfunding mechanism 
			 A58 Blackbrook Diversion, St Helens £7.899 million £8.45 million 0.7 
			 Hall Lane Area Improvements, Liverpool £9.0 million £12.2 million 35 
			 Edge Lane West, Liverpool £15.85 million £15.85 million 0 
			 Bedford Western Bypass £20 million £24.812 million 24 
			 Ridgmont Bypass/ Woburn Link £7.745 million £16.116 million 108 
			 A505 Baldock Bypass £33.821 million £47.408 million 40 
			 Stowmarket Relief Road £13.2 million £17.695 million 34 
			 South Lowestoft Relief Road & Associated Measures £25.4 million £30.621 million 21 
			 A127/A1159 Priory Crescent, Southend on Sea £14.5 million(this includes 3elements of scheme,1 of which is a road) £27.533 million(this includes 3elements of scheme,1 of which is a road) Latest budget figureincludes 3 elements ofscheme not just roadelement 
			 A1198 Papworth Everard Bypass £5.4 million £8.740 million 62 
			 Sunderland Southern Radial Route £17.026 million £28.720 million 69 
			 Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor £5.700 million £12.100 million 112 
			 A688 Wheatley Hill - Bowburn Link, Durham £6.624 million £9.180 million 36 
			 Pegswood Bypass, Northumberland £8.140 million £9.375 million 15 
			 North Middlesbrough Accessibility Improvements £12.220 million £12.220 million  
			 Sunderland Central Route £16.540 million £16.540 million 0 
			 A1056 Northern Gateway, North Tyneside £9.916 million £14.327 million 44 
			 A6096 Ilkeston-Awsworth Link, Derbyshire £8.606 million £12.270 million 43 
			 Markham Employment Growth Zone, Derbyshire £21.5 million £23.5 million 9 
			 A158/C541 Lincolnshire Coastal Access Improvement (including Phase 1 – Partney Bypass) £15.515 million(for all 3 phases) Phase 1 -£7.791 millionPhase 2 - £14.15 millionPhase 3 - £9.38 millionTotal (£31.321 million) 101 (for all 3 phasesof scheme) 
			 A1073 Spalding to Eye Improvement, Lincolnshire £24.835 million £70.4 million 183 
			 A43 Corby Link Road £12.717 million £15.2 million 19 
			 A509 Isham Bypass, Northamptonshire £13.9 million £14.6 million 5 
			 A612 Gedling Integrated Transport Scheme,Nottinghamshire £7.067 million £11.664 million 65 
			 Oakham Bypass £7.650 million £11.666 million 52 
		
	
	Note:
	(1) Schemes not yet approved are subject to the completion of the relevant statutory processes and will require final approval by the department.
	(2) Schemes that have been funded through the local transport plan programme and have been completed between 1999–2005 are not included in the list.
	(3) Provisionally approved schemes with costs in excess of the original approval are subject to detailed scrutiny and appraisal processes before being considered for full approval.

Rural Payments Agency

Lord Willoughby de Broke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any bonus payment has been agreed for the chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency; and, if so, how much the bonus is; and what conditions are attached to its payment.

Lord Bach: The remuneration of the chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is agreed between the chief executive and the Secretary of State within a framework set by the Cabinet Office.
	The chief executive is eligible for an annual bonus of up to 18.5 per cent of salary. The precise value of the bonus is determined by Defra's permanent secretary on behalf of the Secretary of State, based on performance against the agency's published key performance targets. This is assessed through an independent validation completed at the end of the financial year.
	The RPA chief executive's annual salary falls within the Senior Civil Service pay band 2 range of £75,607 to £159,659.

Schools: Faith

Lord Baker of Dorking: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of children who attend the 36 state-supported Jewish schools do not subscribe to the Jewish faith; and
	What proportion of children who attend the six state-supported Muslim schools do not subscribe to the Muslim faith; and
	What proportion of children who attend the two state-supported Sikh schools do not subscribe to the Sikh faith; and
	What proportion of children who attend the one state-supported Greek Orthodox school do not subscribe to the Greek Orthodox faith; and
	What proportion of children who attend those state-supported Christian schools which have been approved since 1997 do not subscribe to the Christian faith.

Lord Adonis: Information on the faith of pupils is not collected centrally.

Schools: Meals

Baroness Greenfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to monitor pupils' behaviour and academic performance before and after the improvements in school meals that they have instituted.

Lord Adonis: The Food Standards Agency has commissioned a review that will gauge the strength of evidence on the effect that nutrition, diet and dietary change has on children's learning and school performance, for example behaviour, attendance and motivation. The Food Standards Agency is looking to commission a research project to specifically assess the effect of changes in school meal provision on dietary intake of children and markers of performance.

South Armagh: Smuggling and Fraud

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 25 January (WA 191) concerning smuggling and fraud in South Armagh, why the information provided was supplied from the Armagh police subdivision, which does not cover South Armagh, and not from the Newry and Mourne subdivision, which does.

Lord Rooker: In relation to the Written Answer on 25 January which sought data on the number of people from South Armagh prosecuted for (a) smuggling and (b) fraud since 1998, the position is as follows:
	Quality and completeness difficulties of post-coded prosecution data mean that the most readily available geographical breakdown is by police subdivision (prior to April 2001). In relation to the South Armagh area, there is a notable boundary change from Newry subdivision to Newry and Mourne DCU, the latter of which incorporates a sizeable area of South Down. However the Armagh subdivision and DCU boundaries are broadly similar, and therefore a more appropriate statistical comparison across time can be made.
	Table 1 and Table 2 of Annexe A provide figures for the Armagh subdivision/DCU and Newry Subdivision and Newry and Mourne District Command Unit respectively.
	
		Table 1: Prosecutions for smuggling and fraud in Armagh police subdivision/DCU 1998–2003
		
			 Year Smuggling Fraud 
			 1998 2 1 
			 1999 0 1 
			 2000 2 12 (0) 
			 2001 3 10 (0) 
			 2002 0 5 (0) 
			 2003 2 3 (0) 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Prosecutions for smuggling and fraud in Newry police subdivision/Newry and Mourne DCU 1998–2003
		
			 Year Smuggling Fraud 
			 1998 0 7 
			 1999 2 1 
			 2000 3 20 (0) 
			 2001 1 45 (4) 
			 2002 0 15 (2) 
			 2003 1 28 (10) 
		
	
	Note 1: Data for 1998 and 1999 are based on the police sub-division to which an offence was reported. Data for 2000 to 2003 are based on the police DCU in which an individual's address falls. Police DCUs became operational in April 2001. However, for the purposes of comparability, 2000 figures are collated on a DCU basis.
	Note 2: The number of prosecutions for fraud shows a notable rise from 2000. This is due to the recording of the offence of "making false statement to obtain benefit" in the PSNI Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS), a database which came into operation in 2000. The figures in brackets from 2000 to 2003 separately show the numbers of prosecutions for fraud if the above offence is removed from the analysis.
	Note 3: The figures provided relate only to those prosecutions taken by the PSNI and Public Prosecution Service. Prosecutions for smuggling-related offences such as non-payment of excise duty may be taken by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Figures for Northern Ireland can be found in its annual report, available in the Library.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of Sudan about bringing to justice those responsible for violence in Darfur.

Lord Triesman: The Government have consistently made clear to the Government of Sudan that those responsible for the terrible crimes committed in Darfur should be brought to justice. The UK sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1593, referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 29 March 2005. The Prosecutor of the ICC began a formal investigation on 6 June 2005. It is for the ICC to consider the evidence and to make decisions regarding the indictment of specific individuals.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many African Union soldiers have now been deployed in Darfur; and what plans are being made to review or extend its mandate when it expires in March.

Lord Triesman: Over 6,800 African Union (AU) protection force and police are currently deployed to Darfur as part of the AU's monitoring mission (AMIS). We welcome the AU's decision at the 12 January Peace and Security Council (PSC) expressing support in principle to handing over AMTS to the UN. The PSC recommended that this decision be approved by AU Foreign Ministers before the end of the current AMIS mandate in March 2006. We regularly discuss AMIS with the AU and its member countries, and are pressing the AU to convene the Foreign Ministers' meeting as soon as possible. We understand this could be in the first week of March. AMIS's mandate will need to be further extended even if there is firm agreement that the United Nations should take over the force, as time will be required to prepare for handover.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have received any reports about hostilities between Sudanese and Chadian forces along their common frontier in Darfur; and, if so, what is the nature of those reports.

Lord Triesman: The security situation on the border between Chad and Sudan remains extremely tense, with both Chadian and Sudanese militias operating in the area. We continue to urge restraint by all sides. I raised the situation with the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr Lam Akol, during our meeting on 3 February 2006. Dr Akol expressed his Government's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the situation.
	We welcome the signing in Libya of an agreement between Chad and Sudan on 8 February in which the two countries pledged to improve bilateral relations and refrain from supporting rebel militias. Our embassy in Khartoum is in regular contact with the African Union and the UN to monitor the situation.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made since the passage of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1556 of 30 July 2004 requiring the Government of Sudan to disarm the Janjaweed militia within 30 days.

Lord Triesman: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1556 of 30 July 2004 demanded that the Government of Sudan disarm the Janjaweed militias and requested the Secretary-General to report in 30 days, and monthly thereafter, to the council on the progress or lack thereof. In his report on Darfur of 23 December 2005, the UN Secretary-General noted that,
	"the vast majority of armed militias have not been disarmed".
	When my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary and I met the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 3 February 2006, we pressed him on the need for the Government of Sudan to comply fully with all their obligations under UN Security Council resolutions, including disarming the Janjaweed. We will continue to do so.

Taxation

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the total cost of administering in the United Kingdom (a) capital gains tax; (b) corporation tax; and (c) inheritance tax.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The administration of these taxes is not done in isolation but forms part of the wider cost of administering the PAYE, corporation tax and self assessment systems which, for example also collect national insurance contributions, administer a variety of statutory payments, and recover student loans.
	I refer the noble Lord to the information on costs of collection given on page 104 of the 2004-05 annual report of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, a copy of which is available in the Library.

Taxation

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the number of employees involved in administering personal income tax in the United Kingdom; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the number of employees involved in administering in the United Kingdom (a) capital gains tax; and (b) inheritance tax.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The administration of these taxes is not done in isolation but forms part of the wider administration of PAYE, corporation tax and self-assessment systems which also collect national insurance contributions, administer a variety of statutory payments, and recover student loans. Therefore the information requested cannot be provided.

Taxation: IR35

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the amount of tax collected as a result of the deeming provisions of IR35 in the United Kingdom; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the amount of national insurance contributions collected as a result of the deeming provisions of IR35 in the United Kingdom; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the number of people affected by the deeming provisions of IR35 in the United Kingdom.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Those covered by the intermediaries (also known as IR35) legislation are required to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as employers and to operate PAYE/NIC in accordance with the legislation. HMRC does not routinely collect data in respect of specific types of employer from either PAYE/NIC returns or in respect of its Employer Compliance Review programme. As such it is not possible to isolate data relating solely to this legislation.

Transport: Liners

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What safety precautions and measures liners operating from British ports are subject to; and who administers inspections of such liners.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Large passenger ships (liners) registered in the UK must comply with the international conventions and national regulations for standards of construction, maintenance and safe operation.
	Surveyors from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carry out annual inspections of these vessels to verify compliance with the relevant international and national regulations.
	Following satisfactory inspection the MCA will issue a passenger ship safety certificate for the vessel. The certificate is internationally recognised and passenger ships cannot legally operate without one.
	Foreign-flagged passenger ships visiting UK ports are subject to port state control inspections. Port states can detain ships in port for failure to comply with the international conventions, until the faults are rectified. These inspections are carried out by surveyors from the MCA.

Transport: River Vessels

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What safety measures river craft on the Thames are subject to.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Commercial craft on the (tidal) River Thames are subject to a number of safety regulations governing construction, equipment, operation and crew competence. Current regulations largely reflect lessons learnt following the accident investigation into the sinking of the "Marchioness" (1989) and more recently the recommendations made by Lord Justice Clarke in his report on the public inquiry into safety on the Thames (1999).
	Passenger ships (i.e. vessels carrying more than 12 passengers) have to satisfy national safety standards, for construction, equipment and manning, laid down in the relevant passenger ship regulations. Small seagoing vessels (less than 24 metres) with no more than 12 passengers have to comply with the MCA Codes for small commercial vessels. Small vessels which do not go to sea are not currently subject to any national standards but have to meet the relevant Port of London Authority (PLA) byelaw licensing requirements. In 2005, the PLA incorporated the inland waters small passenger boat code standards into those requirements.
	Skippers of passenger ships on the tidal Thames are required hold a waterman's licence or MCA boatmaster's licence. A new national boatmaster's licence is expected to become law later this year, which will replace current licensing systems in use on the Thames.
	Sea-going freight vessels have to comply with appropriate merchant shipping survey and certification requirements. For their masters and crew, the MCA stipulates an appropriate qualification under the international convention governing the standards, training and certification of watchkeepers and imposes minimum training requirements.
	Barges, and other freight vessels which do not go to sea, are not subject to national standards at present, but are covered by PLA requirements. National standards will be adopted during 2007–08, in line with a corresponding EC directive which is currently being negotiated.
	There are no national training and qualification requirements for the operators of non-passenger vessels at present, but those operating commercially in the port would generally have a waterman's licence. The new boatmaster's licence will extend national competency requirements to the operators of these vessels.

Treasury: Entertainment

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much HM Treasury has spent in each of the seven financial years ending on 31 March 2005 on entertainment.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The available figures are set out in the following table. All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.
	
		
			  £000 
			 1998–99 69 
			 1999–2000 99 
			 2000–01 141 
			 2001–02 100 
			 2002–03 137 
			 2003–04 116 
			 2004–05 213

Treasury: Taxis and Chauffeurs

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much HM Treasury has spent in each of the seven financial years ending on 31 March 2005 on (a) taxis, and (b) chauffeur-driven cars.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: For spending on taxis, refer to the Answer I gave Lord Hanningfield on 2 November 2005 (Official Report, col. WA 22). For chauffeur-driven cars, which are provided by the Government Car and Despatch Service, the costs in financial years 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05 were £465,000, £480,000 and £531,000 respectively. Information in respect of the years prior to 2002–03 could be provided only at disproportionate cost due to a change in accounting system.

Treasury: Trips by Officials

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much HM Treasury has spent in each of the seven financial years ending on 31 March 2005 on trips by officials and Ministers outside the United Kingdom.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The available figures are set out in the following table. All years include subsistence costs as well as travel costs. For the years prior to 2002–03, overseas travel and subsistence costs could be disaggregated from total travel and subsistence costs only at disproportionate cost. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Management Code and the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
	
		
			  £000 
			 1998–99 (total travel) 1,455 
			 1999–2000 (total travel) 1,619 
			 2000–01 (total travel) 1,718 
			 2001–02 (total travel) 1,340 
			 2002–03 (overseas travel) 1,253 
			 2003–04 (overseas travel) 1,569 
			 2004–05 (overseas travel) 1,657

Tropical Rainforests: Orang-utans

Lord Eden of Winton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking in the light of evidence that the increasing demand for vegetable oils in the United Kingdom is leading to the growth of palm oil plantations which destroy large areas of rainforest and threaten the survival of the orang-utan.

Lord Bach: The Government are very conscious that increasing consumption of goods and services in the UK can have environmental and social consequences overseas. Defra is commissioning research work on the impacts of internationally sourced commodity production on biodiversity. The research will seek to identify those commodities with the largest effects on global biodiversity, and palm oil will be one of the commodities investigated. The results of the research will inform future policy development in the UK and abroad.
	We are also working hard in a number of areas to tackle the important issue of natural habitat loss. For example:
	In Borneo, we are working with the environmental organisation WWF in support of the Heart of Borneo initiative. www.panda.org/heart-of-borneo
	The UK Government have been, since its inception in September 2001, the major financial supporter of the Great Apes Survival Project (GRASP) run by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). www.unep.org/grasp.
	In October 2005, EU Agriculture Ministers finalised new legislation on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) that will allow the EU to enter into agreements with developing countries to provide them with assistance to tackle illegal logging.
	The Government are also seeking to address concerns regarding the use of use of palm oil for transport biofuel production. We are proposing to develop a carbon and sustainability assurance scheme to ensure that the best transport biofuels are used in the UK. The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership is looking to define the principal environmental criteria required to protect sensitive ecosystems and will prepare a draft environmental standard to apply to all fuels, including imports.

Tropical Rainforests: Orang-utans

Lord Eden of Winton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they are having with the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia with a view (a) to their halting the destruction of rainforests; (b) to involving local communities in plans for any further palm oil plantations; and (c) to conserving the remaining habitats of the orang-utan.

Lord Bach: (a) With reference to deforestation and specifically curbing the international trade in illegally logged timber, the UK is involved in discussions with Indonesia and Malaysia through the EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) process. In December 2005, under the UK's presidency, the EU adopted the FLEGT legislation, which will allow the EU to enter into bilateral partnership agreements with timber-producing countries and provide them with assistance to tackle illegal logging. The legislation includes a system designed to identify legal and sustainable products and license them for export to the EU; this will be reinforced by powers for Customs to take a range of actions relating to unlicensed products from partner countries.
	These discussions with Indonesia build on an existing memorandum of understanding signed in 2002 between Indonesia and the UK. This has been an important catalyst for raising awareness of deforestation issues in Indonesia. The UK also supports (and DfID is a generous sponsor for) the Asia Forest Law Enforcement Governance process (AFLEG) and the Asia Forest Partnership—processes which aim to address illegal logging at the regional level in Asia.
	(b) We are engaged in discussions with civil society groups in Indonesia under the Multi-stakeholder Forestry Programme, and these discussions encompass issues of land-use change.
	(c) Concerning remaining habitats of the great apes, the UK Government, through the FCO and Defra, have committed around £600,000 to the United Nations Great Apes Survival Project (GRASP), which is run by UNEP and UNESCO. After the EU (which last year approved project funding of €2.4 million), we remain the single largest donor to GRASP's work. This project was launched in 2001 and aims to bring worldwide attention to the ape crisis, raise funds for conservation, and develop a global conservation strategy for all ape populations. GRASP is currently drafting a five-year programme of action, to take forward the recommendations and aspirations from the Kinshasa declaration signed last year. Discussions with Indonesia and Malaysia are taking place in the context of this project.

Water Supply

Baroness Howells of St Davids: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What their plans are for the management of water supply in 2006 during times of shortage in the eastern and south-east regions of England including London.

Lord Bach: Water companies have statutory duties with regard to water supply and have produced drought and water resource plans in liaison with the Environment Agency. Under the Water Act 2003, these plans are now being made statutory. We have asked the Environment Agency to monitor and report on the drought prospects for 2006.

Water Supply

Baroness Howells of St Davids: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What advice they have received from relevant statutory agencies and other bodies as to the likelihood of drought in 2006 in the eastern and south-east regions of England including London.

Lord Bach: The Environment Agency is the statutory body which advises government on the adequacy of water resources. We have asked the agency to monitor and report on the prospects for water resources for 2006. The agency's report will focus particularly on south-east England where the drought is most pronounced.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to discuss Waterways Ireland with the Government of the Irish Republic.

Lord Rooker: The Minister of State for Northern Ireland (David Hanson) with responsibility for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) plans to discuss progress in the work of Waterways Ireland when he meets the Irish Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA) in early March 2006.
	DCAL and DCRGA are the sponsoring departments for Waterways Ireland.

Welfare Reform: Rehabilitation Specialists

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What workforce planning of rehabilitation specialists will accompany implementation of the Green Paper on welfare reform.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Our Green Paper recognises the need for careful workforce planning in relation to all health professionals, including rehabilitation specialists, who are involved in addressing the health needs of working-age people. We will therefore be establishing a working group involving all key stakeholders to address workforce planning issues.

Welfare Reform: Rehabilitation Specialists

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations the Department for Work and Pensions has made to the Department of Health regarding the shortages of physiotherapists who specialise in rehabilitation and occupational health with respect to implementation of the Green Paper on welfare reform.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have been working in close partnership with the Department of Health to address the issues outlined in our Health, Work and Wellbeing Strategy. Discussions have included resourcing issues in relation to relevant health professionals. As outlined in our Green Paper, we are establishing a working group to address workforce planning issues in order to ensure an appropriate supply of relevant health professionals to meet current and predicted requirements.